lens

Neil Long · 04-03-2012, 11:41 AM

Can any one recommend a portrait or party circuit work for press type stuff. I have the 18-55 original lens that came with my K-x. I work for a charity and have become its press and publicity photographer so budget is the key word here lol

Mareket · 04-03-2012, 11:47 AM

Maybe the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8? Or the Pentax 16-45 f/4 if you need something wider, though you'll be up close for portraits.

You could get a good prime, but for press style stuff you want a zoom really for flexibility. What is your budget?

Adam · 04-03-2012, 12:27 PM

The 17-50mm lens from Tamron is also a good choice.

Arjay Bee · 04-03-2012, 06:42 PM

I do some of the same Kind of work you describe. Depending on the job, use the DA16-45 or the FA35-70 which has autofocus as well. The latter is quite in-expensive and can be found relatively easily, Good Luck with choice.

RioRico · 04-04-2012, 10:00 PM

If budget (or lack thereof) rules, then look for used lenses. I will second the recommendation of the F35-70, the smallest zoom Pentax ever made. It is agile (very fast AF), sharp as a bag of primes, and can be found for around US$50. Other budget options to supplement your kit DA18-55, are any of the many 28-80mm or 28-90mm AF zooms from Pentax, Quantaray-Sigma, Promaster-Tamron, many of which can be had for under US$30 with a bit of eBay work.

Even cheaper: There are screw-on tele adapters of around 1.4x or 1.5x or 1.7x that don't degrade image quality noticeably. I use a Sony VCL-1546A (1.5x with a 46mm thread) that cost me US$4 shipped. With a 52-46mm step-down ring that cost almost as much as the optic, it turns the DA18-55 into a 27-82mm zoom, without eating light as a rear-mounted TC does. A 1.7x optic would make it a 30-93mm zoom. Look for brand-name adapters: Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, etc. Avoid the no-name crud.

yusuf · 04-05-2012, 01:58 AM

I assume you are looking for zooms. Tamron 28-75mm, brutally sharp if you get a good copy and as good as prime replacement. I posted some pics in this forum, here is one

Tamron 17-50 as Adam suggested is a brilliant lens too depending on which focal length suits you better, personally I prefer 28-75mm for portraits. This one is from my 17-50mm.

04-03-2012, 11:41 AM	#1
Neil Long New Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 4	lens Can any one recommend a portrait or party circuit work for press type stuff. I have the 18-55 original lens that came with my K-x. I work for a charity and have become its press and publicity photographer so budget is the key word here lol

04-03-2012, 12:27 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	The 17-50mm lens from Tamron is also a good choice. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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04-03-2012, 11:47 AM	#2
Mareket Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chester Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 719	Maybe the Tamron 28-75 f/2.8? Or the Pentax 16-45 f/4 if you need something wider, though you'll be up close for portraits. You could get a good prime, but for press style stuff you want a zoom really for flexibility. What is your budget?

04-03-2012, 06:42 PM	#4
Arjay Bee Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Horn Island, Torres Straits, Q Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,715	I do some of the same Kind of work you describe. Depending on the job, use the DA16-45 or the FA35-70 which has autofocus as well. The latter is quite in-expensive and can be found relatively easily, Good Luck with choice.

04-04-2012, 10:00 PM	#5
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	If budget (or lack thereof) rules, then look for used lenses. I will second the recommendation of the F35-70, the smallest zoom Pentax ever made. It is agile (very fast AF), sharp as a bag of primes, and can be found for around US$50. Other budget options to supplement your kit DA18-55, are any of the many 28-80mm or 28-90mm AF zooms from Pentax, Quantaray-Sigma, Promaster-Tamron, many of which can be had for under US$30 with a bit of eBay work. Even cheaper: There are screw-on tele adapters of around 1.4x or 1.5x or 1.7x that don't degrade image quality noticeably. I use a Sony VCL-1546A (1.5x with a 46mm thread) that cost me US$4 shipped. With a 52-46mm step-down ring that cost almost as much as the optic, it turns the DA18-55 into a 27-82mm zoom, without eating light as a rear-mounted TC does. A 1.7x optic would make it a 30-93mm zoom. Look for brand-name adapters: Sony, Olympus, Panasonic, etc. Avoid the no-name crud.

04-05-2012, 01:58 AM	#6
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	I assume you are looking for zooms. Tamron 28-75mm, brutally sharp if you get a good copy and as good as prime replacement. I posted some pics in this forum, here is one Tamron 17-50 as Adam suggested is a brilliant lens too depending on which focal length suits you better, personally I prefer 28-75mm for portraits. This one is from my 17-50mm.